https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-introduces-name-collisi... The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has launched the Name Collision Observatory, a tool designed to give applicants in the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: 2026 Round an idea of whether their chosen TLD, or "string," is at high risk for name collision. Name collision occurs when a name that is intended to be resolved in one naming system, like the global Domain Name System (DNS), is inadvertently resolved in a different naming system. This can lead to unexpected behavior such as communication being disrupted or redirected from its intended recipient. The web-based Name Collision Observatory<https://newgtldprogram-nco.icann.org/> allows new gTLD applicants to view historical DNS magnitude data for TLD strings. Magnitude data measures the popularity and reach of a TLD by looking at the number of unique client networks querying it, instead of the total number of queries. This provides a view of its usage and may help applicants assess whether the string they wish to apply for is at risk for name collision. ICANN notes that applicants should not assume that if the Name Collision Observatory indicates a low volume of queries for a string, that string ultimately will be assessed as "safe" to delegate. The domain magnitude data is just one of several quantitative and qualitative factors taken into account when assessing the risk associated with a string during the gTLD application process. For more information, please refer to the Name Collision section (Module 7.7<https://newgtldprogram-2026-agb.icann.org/en/11-module-7-string-and-applicat...>) in the Applicant Guidebook.